At some point this week an aerobics instructor from the '80s will be possessed by the spirit of a demonic ninja. That's a thing that will happen. It's not even the wildest thing that's gonna happen, but it definitely makes for an attention-grabber, right? More than a few all time music legends will come through town, but if you'd rather look to the future than soak in the past, well, those options are plentiful as well. Portland Beer Week begins, Pedalpalooza gets very purple, and not to belabor the point too much, but: NINJAS. It's a busy week ahead; hit the links below and load your plate accordingly.
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Monday, Jun 4
JoJo, Malia Civetz
In support of Mad Love, her first studio album in a decade, JoJo recently toured to Portland in 2017. Now sheâs back again for her âLeaks, Covers and Mixtapesâ tour, meaning her set list will pull from the experimental projects she independently released while her career was being stalled by a shady contract. Buckle up for various covers of soul and R&B, and live renditions of songs from 2010âs Canât Take that Away from Me, and 2012âs excellent AgĂĄpÄ. If her previous show at the Wonder was any indication, JoJo is still one of those vocalists who could sing the phonebook and induce chills. JENNI MOORE
8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $25-28, all ages
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Amyl & The Sniffers
The newest Aussie sensation to invade American ears is King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, an explosive psych-pop juggernaut that combines Thee Oh Sees' aggressively raw work ethic with the Flaming Lips' visionary shape shifting. Fronting this malevolent maelstrom of sound is the charismatic Stu Mackenzie, whose caveman strums and snarls teeter constantly on the brink of chaos. CHRIS SUTTON
9 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $25, all ages
Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers
Few bands spawned from the early 1970s are quite as polarizing as Steely Dan. Optimizing the collaborative songwriting quirks of multi-instrumentalist Walter Becker and the enigmatic Donald Fagen, the group attained the pinnacles of commercial success with swirling jazz and progressive pop songs that often defy genre. Becker passed away in September 2017, and Fagen countersued Beckerâs estate (they believed his widow should get 50 percent) for full ownership of the band name and related rights, which sounds like a dick move, even if it was so he could continue to embark on huge arena tours like this, the âSummer of Living Dangerouslyâ tour with the Doobie Brothers. Itâs an unfortunate side effect of being such a massive musical entity. Hopefully none of that bullshit matters when Fagen starts crooning the beginning of âDo It Againâ from Steely Danâs monster debut Canât Buy a Thrill. RYAN J. PRADO
7:30 pm, Moda Center, $79-199, all ages
Lucy Bellwood
A release party for Portland comics creator Lucy Bellwood's latest book, 100 Demon Dialogues, collecting stories meant to help you combat imposter syndrome.
Ford Food & Drink, 7 pm, free
Collide-o-Scope
Half video art installation and half stoner gawkfest, Collide-O-Scope is the cinema-collage extravaganza created by Michael Anderson and Shane Wahlund, Seattle men who bonded over a love of oddball videoânews bloopers, educational films, B-movie gemsâthen joined forces to bring the treasures of their exploration to the public. No matter the locale, the takeaway of the Collide-O-Scope experience remains the same: There's nothing more glorious, hilarious, ridiculous, and horrifying than human behavior, and here's proof. DAVID SCHMADER
7:30 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $7-9
Jazz Symphonica
DID YOU KNOW: There's never been a concert at PSU that combined their orchestra with their big band before now? But tonight, 58 musicians will come together to bring life to works by Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Ezra Weiss, and more.
7 pm, PSU Lincoln Performance Hall, $10-15
Lucas Mann, Elena Passarello
The author of Lord Fear returns with Captive Audience, his new book exploring our society's fascination with reality TV. Mann will be joined in conversation by Elena Passarello, author of Animals Strike Curious Poses.
7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free
Tuesday, Jun 5
James Taylor & His All-Star Band, Bonnie Raitt
No, you are not just seeing things; James Taylor and His All Star Band really are coming to town! If youâre like me and were raised by a white single mom who would blast Taylorâs gentle folk rock and blues while she did domestic tasks, you probably also get nostalgic whenever you hear âFire & Rain,â âCarolina in My Mind,â âCountry Road,â or âSteamroller.â Get some tickets for your parents, and go see the Rock and Roll Hall of Famerâs guitar-forward set celebrating his 40-year career. JENNI MOORE
7:30 pm, Moda Center, $66-100, all ages
B-Movie Bingo: Ninja 3: The Domination
Your monthly opportunity to literally check off a bingo card full of B-movie clichés! This month: the Golan & Globus-approved, sword-wielding slab of exploitative ridiculousness that is Ninja 3: The Domination, the final chapter of Cannon Films' Ninja trilogy, starring Lucinda Dickey (best known as the female lead of Cannon Films' Breakin' duology) as a telephone linewoman who is also an aerobics teacher who is possessed by the undead spirit of an evil ninja warrior.
7:30 pm, Hollywood Theatre, $7-9
Broncho, The Paranoyds, Valen
Broncho plays bright, danceable post-punk meant to be blasted through car speakers on a summer road trip or through the earbuds of a suburban parent whoâs training to prepare for some half-marathon Kevin from accounting said âchanged his lifeâ after putting that 13.1 decal on his Smart car. The Oklahoma band clearly loves guitar-driven new wave and â90s college rock. On their biggest hit to date, the 2014 single âClass Historian,â Ryan Lindseyâs shimmering guitar tones and oddly intoxicating voice (which sounds like the musical equivalent of a jiggling Jell-O mold) are much more akin to Modern English than Joy Division. Bronchoâs been quiet since releasing their moodier 2016 album Double Vanity, but teased their return to catchy guitar pop with last summerâs single âGet in My Car.â CAMERON CROWELL
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $15
Okkervil River, Star Rover
Prolific singer/songwriter Will Sheff and his long-running band out of Austin bring their folk-tinged indie rock back to the Wonder Ballroom stage in support of their latest full-length, In The Rainbow Rain.
8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $22-23
Handsome Ghost, Beta Radio
The Boston-based electro-pop project spearheaded by singer/songwriter Tim Noyes and multi-instrumentalist/producer Eddie Byun bring their self-described "indie-prom" sounds back to Holocene in support of their 2018 full-length, Welcome Back.
8 pm, Holocene, $13
Greg Laswell
This San Diego-based singer/songwriter's heartfelt music has likely not just gotten stuck in your head, but more accurately has probably imprinted on you if you've ever watched more than a single episode of Parenthood, Gray's Anatomy, or Friday Night Lights. Laswell's name isn't the most well known, but melodically melancholy songs like "Off I Go," "Sing, Theresa Says," and "Days Go On" have an amazing ability to burrow into the bones and live there for awhile. Laswell brings his folk-rock sounds back to the Doug Fir stage for the Portland stop on an overdue trek up the West Coast.
9 pm, Doug Fir, $20-23
Wednesday, Jun 6
Tony Bennett
There aren't too many living legends still roaming the Earth, so when one the size of Tony Bennett decides he wants to do a show here in Portland, you should probably go.
7:30 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $45-225, all ages
2018 U.S. Open Cup: Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes
The Portland Timbers host the San Jose Earthquakes in the fourth round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Due to the current stadium-expansion construction at Providence Park, the east side of the stadium will be closed and all seating will be general admission for this game.
7:30 pm, Providence Park, all ages
Sleep, Bell Witch
The doom metal and stoner rock pioneers out of San Jose return to Portland for a headlining performance supporting The Sciences, the band's first new album in nearly two decades.
9 pm, Roseland, $27.50-40, all ages
2 Wet Crew
Brent Weinbach, DJ Douggpound, and Mikey Kampmann take their lo-fi absurdist web series to the Mississippi Studios stage, bringing you an evening of live performances and original video segments.
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $5
The Sound of Music
Come for the music, stay for Christopher Plummer ripping a nazi flag in half with his bare hands, which is so much more cathartic than it really should be in 2018.
6:30 pm, Academy Theater, $3-4, all ages
Xavier Rudd
The Australian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist brings his reggae and folk sounds back to the Wonder Ballroom stage for the Portland stop on a North American tour supporting his latest full-length, Storm Boy.
8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $28.50-30
Thursday, Jun 7
Tory Lanez
The Toronto-based rapper, singer, producer, and fashion designer swings through the Roseland in support of his 2018 album, Memories Don't Die. And unlike some other rapper, singer, producer, and fashion designersâTory is all about making you feel good about enjoying his music instead of making you wonder why in the hell you ever liked him.
8 pm, Roseland, $35, all ages
The Thesis
Portland up-and-comer Fritzwa headlines the latest installment of the monthly showcase with her soulful blend of R&B and hip-hop. Like-minded locals Eso.XO.Supreme and Ynn Peralta round out the proceedings, along with Thesis resident DJ, Verbz.
9 pm, Kelly's Olympian, $10
Holocene's 15th Birthday
Holocene celebrates its 15th Birthday with a free show featuring performances by electronic producer Manatee Commune and local funk and hip-hop outfit Tribe Mars, along with DJ sets from Chanti Darling and Bobby D.
8:30 pm, Holocene, free
Calexico, Julia Jacklin
Tucson musicians Joey Burns and John Convertino bring their shapeshifting blend of southwestern indie rock back to Portland for a headlining show supporting their latest full-length, The Thread that Keeps Us.
8 pm, Revolution Hall, $25
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
The Off-Broadway musical that became a hit independent film that became a massive Broadway smash returns to Portland in its original recipe formâwith a few extra spices and sprinkles applied by Triangle Productions.
7:30 pm, The Sanctuary at Sandy Plaza, $40
Portland Beer Week Kickoff Party
Portland Beer Week is so big it takes 11 days to celebrate, and it starts here, with a kickoff bigger than any in Portland Beer Week history, so big they're holding it at the Oregon Zoo, with over 20 craft beer and cider makers near the concert lawn, food from local vendors and food cart operators, and of course, a chance to wander around and look at all the sights. Ticket price includes zoo admission, access to vendors, souvenir glass, and four drink tickets good for one seven-ounce pour each.
4 pm, Oregon Zoo, $34.95
Prince4Ever
Once upon a time, there was a Prince vs. Bowie Ride that was a highlight of the Pedalpalooza schedule. Now that both men have left this Earth, that ride has unfortunately left with them. But Prince's royal badness is too strong to stay gone, and so the Prince4Ever ride returns, purple'd up and ready to transform the city into one big mobile dance party, starting at the Prince mural at Montavilla Park and ending at the bike lane tribute.
8 pm, Montavilla Park, free
Science on Tap - Cause and Effect: Racism, Poverty, and Public Health
The effects of racism are real. From systematic exclusion that hinders access to resources, disproportionate rates of incarceration, and emotional trauma, all can take a toll on health. Science of Tap epidemiologist Dr. Frank A. Franklin will discuss the intersections of inequality and public health and explore solutions for improvement.
7 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $8-15
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!
